House Bill 1440 amends the existing law regarding the position of County Attorney in Morgan County. The bill removes the requirement that the County Attorney be elected by the qualified voters of the county and instead establishes that the County Attorney will be appointed or hired by the Morgan County Commission, subject to a vote. Additionally, the new language specifies that the County Attorney does not need to be a resident of Morgan County to hold the position, which is a significant change from the previous law.
The bill also includes a provision ensuring that no current officeholder will be removed or have their term abridged as a result of this change, maintaining the stability of incumbents until the end of their elected terms. Furthermore, the act will only take effect if it receives a two-thirds vote of approval from the legislative body of Morgan County, with the presiding officer responsible for certifying the outcome to the secretary of state. The act is designed to enhance the governance of the county while ensuring a smooth transition for the office of County Attorney.